Pages

22 November 2013

New improved 52

My last post detailed some of the issues that Jacketts are having with the Derriford – Chaddlewood 52. Hopefully next week will see a big improvement when new timetable comes into place. We start off with a VOSA notice

The main changes are the early morning journeys will run approximately 10 minutes earlier to allow the current 8.15am departure from the Hospital to run 15 minutes earlier at 8.00am which will hopefully improve the reliability throughout the rest of the day. At present the 7.36am departure from Plympton is getting held up in traffic which is having a knock on effect on the current 8.15 departure from Derriford which is causing problems for the rest of the day. There will also be changes to the bus working arrangements with the second bus being brought in to operate the 4.15pm departure so hopefully that will operate on time.

The other thing to notice that is NOT mentioned in the detail is that it no longer serves Asda – this should help the service keep to time but it is an important stop that gets well used. Hopefully this change will get better publicity and passengers wont be waiting there on Monday!

I did actually see one of the blue and white Darts at Tamar Science Park on the approach to Derriford this evening – but it looked like it was broken down. I really do hope this new timetable works out for Jacketts – as I am sure all the regular passengers do to!

While I wouldn't want to comment on this particular case as I don't know if there's any truth to Anon's comments, VOSA usually acts very quickly in situations where multiple PG9s are found. In the worst cases companies are closed down. There is no place and no excuse for unsafe operators, of whatever size, on the UK's roads and they deserve everything that comes to them.

Can i just say to anon ??? What gives you the right to say thing like that on the public domain, the fact you stated "I heard " means you don't even know if its true, !!!!! so why are you even repeating something that 1 may not even be true, 2 you don't even know the facts,!!!!

Thanks anon - you do make a good point. Please can I ask people to be more careful when making comments like this - as they are serious allegations. Unless you KNOW something has happened and can be sure that the facts are correct then it is best not to post them at all. I do prefer to keep comments as open and free as possible and also like to allow comments to remain as anonymous. Please help me keep it this way!

Well said Graham.....I am an avid reader of your blog but am of the opinion that some of the comments should not have appeared at all due to their content, i hope everyone takes notice of what you are saying.

While I full agree with the comments above, I do however, feel that the "I heard..." comments can provide not only food for thought, but a genuine insight into what is going on with our travel network. This kind of information is unlikely to surface from the company(ies) involved given the sensitive nature, and obviously for this exact reason we should ensure it is correct before drawing conclusion on the matter....But does it come as a surprise?!Graham, you feature a picture of on of the Jacketts Darts, but, look at the state of it!!Would we eat in a restaurant where the cutlery is dirty? The appearance of something the comes to the forefront is what we base our opinion on, rightly or wrongly.Citybus - well presented, thus well managedFirst - moderately well presented (take the enthusiast view out and to the customer they are fine!), thus well managed!Jacketts - Tatty, drivers without a uniform = unprofessional and uncaring, sloppy and an unprofessional operationTarget - The vehicles appear to be relatively tidy, but, no uniform for drivers, a poor website...where is the care?

Obviously these things are simply my own opinion, and I work works apart form the transport industry..But my industry drums one thing in, constantly....and that is...."First Impressions....!

while people slate jackets I catch the 13 on a daily bases, and I am really pleased, much better than when citybus had it, have a good laugh with the drivers, all smartly dressed, buses are very clean inside, I cant ask for more !

I think quite a few passengers will disagree with you on your comment about citybus, constantly changing bus routes once people get use to the timetable, Agree very well presented fleet,

First - agree fairly well presented, few improvements tho

Jackets - Soo Drivers without a uniform = uncareing ?? can you explain, all of the drivers do have a uniform, at the very least all wear a white shirt and black trousers Western Greyhound drivers only wear a white shirt they have to wear there own trousers such as blue jeans, doesn't make them any less professional

Sloppy and unprofessional - what makes you say this ? have you ever been on one of there buses ?

seems every citybus drivers is adorned with ugly tattoos, a casual uniform, spoilt by what looks like a thug, cover them up and make the company look professional, once plymouth city transport would not even consider anyone with tattoos or piercings... lolz, if a teenage thug stole a bus and drove it on a route, nobody would even know... thats so sad,, jacketts needs to buy some paint as the darts are multi coloured on the 13

Anonymous 12:23, I also resent your stupid, bigoted, and ill informed comments. I am also a Citybus driver and for your information do not possess any tattoos and wear a smart shirt and tie uniform to work every day. I will be more than happy to let any of my passengers be the judge of whether I am a "thug" or not!!!

point taken, you may be a very nice person indeed....but still appearence is everything, and first impressions last forever, i try not to wave to fellow bus drivers with tattoos, but if i do wave to you, by mistake, my apology, i won't wave again, but i will smile and laugh to myself.....loooooooooooser

Mike... to be fair anon has a point although a little over stated perhaps! It is one vital thing First should make the most of is the neatly turned out (not tattooed drivers!) who in my opinion are in the main friendlier and more helpful than Citybus.

Quite a lot of my colleagues have swapped from Citybus 61 to First 3a and Citybus 8/9 to First 6 in recent weeks and all of them comment on how much friendlier First drivers are, they can not all be wrong can they ???

On a seperate note I use First virtually daily and can honestly say it has bn many years since I have seen them so busy. The 15 is packed and needs bigger buses quite a bit of the time and 3a and 6 are also picking up, often with more customers than Citybus, I think thet should be quite pleased thus far.

agree with you Mike, what a load of rubbish. Of all the fleets in Plymouth, I think Citybus drivers look the smartest. Just because you have a tattoo doesn't make you look like a "thug". I have one and I definitely am not a thug. Shame on you!!! Just to say I enjoy reading this blog regularly (Thank you Graham) On the norm this is light hearted, topical and very informitive, it's just a shame that sometimes it annoys me that some people comment without thinking, or are just plain ignorant and hide behind Anonymous. Any way rant over. keep up the good work and thank you.....Darren Edgar

thank you darren for ur kinds words. anon 23.22, if you are a fellow bus driver, and dont wave at people with tattoos, then u must have a sad little life. If ther's one thing i cant stand is narrow minded bigots.

Anon 19:50 Totally agree, I too have recently swapped from Citybus 61 to First 3a and find them not only a lot cheaper but drivers and shop staff are far more friendly and helpful compared to the dire boarding on rude service I got from Citybus. First are picking up quite a lot on this route, as they are on purple 6, I know most of my friends and colleagues have stopped using Citybus in past few weeks as well.Several other colleagues have also swapped off Citybus 5a/43 etc along Wolseley Road to First 1/1a and are pleasantly surprised by saving £1 a day and the quality of service First offer.Good luck to First hope you are around the city for years to come and lets hope other estates like Southway for eg get to sample your far superior and cheaper service soon too. If anyone at First read this, hint Southway and Plympton would be good please.